– We want to know what your concerns, questions and priorities are and how we can work with you as a team to accomplish what it is you desire.

– A complete medical and dental history is taken at this time because your oral health affects your entire well being and vice versa.

– At this visit Dr Wayman and his assistant will, with your approval, update and evaluate xrays. There are many reasons xrays are necessary and of tremendous value. We only take them as needed and not arbitrarily.

– If you have current xrays from a previous dental visit elsewhere, we may not need to update them on this visit. Please inform us if you have had xrays taken within one year and from where and we will try to get a copy.

– During your exam the conditions of each tooth will be charted and your gum pocket depth (periodontal charting) will be measured. Dr Wayman will assess each tooth in your mouth as well as complete a head and neck cancer screening.

– After gathering all the necessary information, Dr Wayman will explain to you his findings and his recommendations for you while showing you what he sees via an intraoral camera. You can see for yourself what he is describing, making understanding vastly easier.

– He will have a conversation with you about your treatment plan for optimum oral health. This appointment is approximately one and half hours long to allow plenty of time to tailor a plan to your desires and clarify any questions you may have. We fully recognize that each person has control over the care they receive.

– Appointments for treatment and hygiene visits are then scheduled by Karyn at the front desk and you can talk with Glenda about the financial aspects and options for your treatment.

– After your initial, comprehensive exam with Dr Wayman, you will usually want to schedule a hygiene visit.

– If you have had regular hygiene appointments and have followed directed home care protocol you may only need a basic cleaning or a prophylaxis. Many patients then only need this done at six month intervals.

– In other cases, you may need more visits and a more frequent recare schedule.

– This all depends on the health of your gums, tarter and plaque buildup and your oral health in general.

– Every individual is different and your hygiene schedule will be determined and discussed with you at your initial visit with Dr Wayman and subsequent visits with our hygienist.

– Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world. 40,000 new cases of oral cancer are reported annually in the Untied States.

– The exact cause of oral cancer has not yet been identified. Typically early stage oral cancer is painless.

– The disease can be found in the tongue, around the floor of the mouth, lips, and gums. This type of cancer tends to spread rapidly if not properly treated and generally is malignant.

– The following are symptoms of oral cancer and you should call us immediately to look at it you feel you have any of them.

- Any sore that persists longer than two weeks

- A swelling or lump in or about the mouth or neck

- White or red patches in the mouth or on the lips

- Repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat

- Difficulty in swallowing or persistent hoarseness

– Oral cancer is dangerous and deadly. The rate of a successful treatment and rehabilitation from oral cancer depends on its early detection.

– The good news is we screen you for oral cancer on every visit.

– This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed.

– This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems.

– X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease. We also do not take them arbitrarily.

– Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.

– For more information about the radiation doses click here

– This treatment is used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing.

– In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they're too narrow to allow even one bristle into them.

– These will develop cavities over time, and you don't want that. So Dr Wayman or the hygienist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

– Fillings are done to remove decay, and replace the affected tooth structure. Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, and the tooth might need root canal treatment or extraction.

– This style of fillings are more like your natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with an increased confidence and comfort.

– Another advantage of these fillings is that they are more resistant to breakage and come in a broad range of shades to closely match the color of your tooth.

– Due to the increased strength of modern composite material, we use it in your back teeth as well. We do not use amalgam filling material.

– A small filling can last a lifetime, while larger fillings should last for many years with proper care.

– A broken beyond repair tooth or one that has extensive decayed or is in the advanced stages of gum disease and can not be saved are all reasons for a tooth to be extracted.

– We preform simple, routine extractions in our office using a local anesthetic.

– Because of the complexity of removing wisdom teeth, oftentimes we will provide a referral to an oral surgeon.

– Crowns, also known as caps, securely cover fractured, cracked, decayed, or broken teeth, conceal chips, stains, and other imperfections.

– Functionally crowns are just like your natural teeth, allowing you to speak, smile, and eat with confidence by restoring the tooth's structure, shape and strength.

– They can be made from gold, porcelain, or a composite material depending on what is right for your tooth.

– During your first visit an impression of your teeth is taken. Then we remove all decay in or around the tooth. Next we sculpt the tooth for the crown which is a painless process. We send the impression to our dental lab where the custom-made crown is created.

– During the interim a temporary crown is fitted onto the tooth.

– On your next visit, the temporary crown is removed and we will cement the permanent crown into position.

– Given proper daily brushing and flossing crowns can last a decade and more.

– It can cause multiple teeth to shift in your mouth or the space can leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile.

– A bridge can be used to fill in this gap giving your teeth a natural look again.

– The bridge is anchored between two teeth with crowns on either side of the space. If no tooth is available to anchor from then a dental implant may be an option.

– There are several styles and ways a bridge can be implemented based upon the final solution desired. Dental bridges are semi-permanent, and only a dentist can remove them.

– Dental bridges are a good way to restore full function to your teeth and help you maintain a healthy, smile.

– However, dental Implants are used much more frequently now and are often the more desirable solution to replacing missing teeth. They have proven to be much more trouble free than bridges and last much longer.

– Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses; including crowns, implant supported bridges and dentures.

– =The implant is placed by either an oral surgeon or a periodontist and we will place the final crown, just as we would on a natural tooth.

– Bonding involves adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth, to the front of the tooth.

– This is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes.

– First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding and hold it.

– A gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bond agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface.

– Then the material itself is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light.

– The composite resin material is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish as a last step.

– The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for one's teeth.

All structures are also referred to as the periodontium.

– When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house.

– Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows:

- Gums that are red and bleed easily

- Persistent bad breath

- Gums pulled away from the tooth

- Loose teeth

- Changes in position or bite of the teeth

– Any of these signs may mean something is wrong.

– With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return them to a healthy state.

– This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away.

– The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents.

– If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.

– This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed.

– This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems.

– X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease.

– Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.

– Temporomandibular joint ( TMJ ) is the joint located near each earlobe where your upper and lower jaws are joined together.

– TMJ disorder can be a constant source of nagging pain and discomfort without truly understanding where the problem started from.

– Symptoms of TMJ disorder can include pain in the jaw area when eating or chewing. You may hear or feel a clicking, popping sensation in the jaw area, as well as have headaches.

– If you are clenching your jaw or are having any of the other TMJ disorder symptoms, it could be that your bite is out of alignment or you may need a night mouth guard while you sleep.

– TMJ therapy treats the problem by restoring balance to the muscles, teeth, and joints that make up the bite. It can also mean adjusting the angle at which the upper and lower teeth meet by reshaping the teeth or through the use of fitted mouth guard easing the stress to the joint.

– We are here to help evaluate all the possible symptoms and find a solution that helps you get back to feeling better again.

– Dental veneers are a great way to conceal chips, stains or correct tooth misalignment that detract from your smile.

– The material is ultra thin and very functional with the ability to fill in gaps between teeth, alter the size and shape of teeth, help rotated teeth, or can be used to make unusual biting surfaces appear more normal.

– Veneers are a more conservative alternative to crowns as they require less removal of the tooth's surface.

– The color of the custom designed veneer is carefully matched to the surrounding teeth and is bonded directly to the surface of your tooth.

– The results of this procedure will improve the overall appearance of your teeth. With good dental hygiene care, your veneers will give you a flawless, confident, healthy, and beautiful smile for many years to come.

– Dental bonding is used to repair chipped, cracked or stained teeth, fill minor gaps, or other imperfections on a tooth.

– Composite bonding is a quick process using a tooth colored plastic or composite resin that is applied directly to the teeth.

– The bonding process is very popular because it requires less time than the application of porcelain veneers. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding removes very little if any of the original tooth and is an excellent way to shape teeth.

– Once the bonding material is applied it can be easily shaped and polished it to complement the size and finish of your surrounding teeth.

– Composite bonding is also relatively inexpensive, but it should be noted it is not as durable as crowns or veneers.

– Whatever the specific intent of the composite bonding is, it will leave you with a beautiful new smile

– Regardless of how well you care for your teeth over time yellowing will occur. Soft drinks, coffee, tea, cigarette smoke, and the natural effects of aging will all effect the color of your teeth.

– The method of teeth whitening we use is the at-home, dentist-supervised option. With this option we will mold customized mouth-trays to hold the whitening gel that you will use for a few weeks every night. You can decide how white to bleach your teeth based on your preference.

– It should be noted that tooth whitening treatments will only effect your natural teeth and will have no effect on materials used for bonded, veneered or crowned teeth.

– Typically whitening treatments begin to fade in one to four years - you may need to do a "touch up" to keep your teeth bright.

– Ask us how you can contribute to your favorite charity and get whiter teeth at the same time!

– I just want my teeth cleaned! We hear that often and many times that will be all you need.

– However, many patients have a disease and are not aware of it. Periodontal disease otherwise known as gum disease is a serious condition that must be treated.

– The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth (also known as the periodontium) form the foundation for ones teeth.

– When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house.

– Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth.

– There are two major stages of gum disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

– Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. The signs and symptoms are red, swollen and puffy gums that bleed easily.

– If treatment is not received, gingivitis could lead to periodontitis.

– Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease which includes bone loss and can be irreversible.

– The gum tissue and bone surrounding the teeth could become seriously damaged and the teeth affected could become loose and fall out.

– Any of these signs may mean something is wrong.

– New studies show that periodontal disease is linked to heart attacks and strokes.

– Our hygienists are trained and educated in the latest treatment techniques and can help you get back to a healthy state as expediently as possible.

– The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing, sometimes requiring local anesthetic, along with the placement of local antibiotic agents.

– If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.

– While gum disease is a very serious dental condition, it can be prevented. Regular dental check ups are a key factor in early detection of gum disease. Regular dental visits play an important role in diagnosing periodontal disease early.